Today I needed to jump out of bed and start right in on a TO DO list that was a mile and half long.

Instead of racing at top speed, I was stuck in first gear.

I started working on “the writing project” that is demanding a lot of attention. And instead of creating stellar work, I found myself completely STUCK.

“Ok… maybe writing just isn’t happening right now. What about the next item on the list?”

I switched gears and began working on some music for upcoming events. I thought that might do the trick. Usually, strumming and singing makes me feel a lot better.

But today, it just wasn’t happening. It wasn’t a terrible rehearsal. I still managed to SHOW UP AND SAID “YES” to the pieces that required the most attention. But it wasn’t a great rehearsal, either. The music felt–well–kind of forced. And that’s not good–especially when it comes to Hawaiian music!

So…

I decided to honor the body’s natural wisdom.

I literally asked myself–out loud, “What is your problem today?”

And you know what? An answer came right away: I just feel “stuck.”

I thought maybe I needed to chill out for a little while. I’ve been working hard and I haven’t been sleeping very well. So I sat down and allowed myself a short time to “just be.”

But that didn’t help.

I decided to CHALLENGE the stuck-ness.

What’s the opposite of stuck-ness? Flow.

I put on my running shoes and headed out for nice, long run–at a leisurely pace. I wasn’t looking to win any races.

But that’s ok. Because I’m flowing, again.

Aloha kākou!

I always have my iPod with me. It’s my personal jukebox.

Living in New York City, I spend a lot of time traveling underground via subway–and those rides can be long and boring! But having a collection of great music with me at all times keeps me from losing my mind. I can escape to a tropical isle with the push of a button. Portable paradise!

A hula classic–and for a good reason: IT’S FUN! This is one of the songs you’re bound to hear at a hula gathering or backyard paina or luau. Attributed to Clarence Kinney, the song tells about young lovers out on a joy ride–and the things they encounter along the way.

Nina Kealiʻiwahamana and Bill Kaʻiwa really bring a sense of delight to this recording. I love hearing it sung as a duet! And these two masters of Hawaiian music help a listener to understand the song’s lyrics–even if the listener doesn’t speak Hawaiian!

ʻAkaka Falls is one of my all-time favorite Hawaiian songs. And this recording really captured my attention this week. I was revisiting Uncle Led’s album (a favorite) and started thinking about the heavy piano influence on this track. I looked in the album’s liner notes and saw that it was none other than the piano master, himself: George Winston. So I went back and listened to it again. And again… And again…

The more I listened to it, the more I loved it. I like to listen to it with my eyes closed… it brings wonderful pictures to my mind.

What are YOU listening to? Drop me a line and let me know!

And, as always, a giant MAHALO to Puna and the gang at www.mele.com for being an awesome Hawaiian music resource. You all make the world a better place!

My grandmother has been the biggest supporter of ALL of us in the family.

But… we’d never gotten together to perform as a family before!

Could we really pull something together in time for her birthday celebration? Or would we make a mess out of it all?

My uncle suggested a song he’d like to do as a solo. He suggested duet for his son and son’s fiancee to sing. (Both of which were ʻukulele-friendly pieces. He hoped I would be willing to strum the accompaniment–and figured it wouldn’t be too difficult being that I always have my ʻukulele with me!) And then he suggested I do a song or two for Grandma, as well.

We didn’t have a chance to meet up to rehearse–we needed to just “wing it.” (Which totally reminded me of being on Molokai and sharing an impromptu “performance.” As Pops is always saying, “E hoʻomākaukau!” Be prepared!)

After dinner, as the plates were being cleared from the table, I received the nod. It was “show time!”

We shared some music for Grandma.

And it was wonderful Not because we were polished and professional…

It was wonderful because it came from the heart.

A treat to share music with the matriarch of the family–the lady who is responsible for our family “tribe”. And a treat to join forces with some members of my family and share songs together.

Isn’t that what sharing Aloha is all about?

Grandma will only be 84 years old once. I’m glad we helped to make it a birthday for her to remember.

HAUʻOLI LĀ HĀNAU E TŪTŪ!

Where was author Samuel Langhorne Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) when he watched a sunrise that he described as being “the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed”?

A. Waimea Canyon (Kauaʻi)

B. Waikīkī (Oʻahu)

C. Haleakalā (Maui)

D. Hilo (Hawaiʻi)

• Please submit your answer as a reply to this blog post.
• All correct answers will be eligible to win a special email message from me.
• One winner will be randomly chosen at 11:59pm HST.

Will YOU be this week’s lucky winner?

Good Luck!

Aloha Poʻalima! Happy Aloha Friday!

**Crooner Update:

Wow! Almost everyone had the correct answer! You guys are amazing!

I thought this one was a tough one–all of the choices would be incredible places to watch the sunrise. However, Mark Twain was referring to C. Haleakalā–which, in Hawaiian, means “House of the Sun.”

And this week’s winner (chosen randomly from the correct answers using the amazing “random number generator”) is… (Drum roll, please…) KAREN GUERRA! Congrats, Karen! You are this week’s Trivia Superstar!

I’m so glad you all took a moment to play along this week–I hope youʻll play along next week, too!